As Pakistan refuses to allow its airspace for PM Modi, India approaches International Civil Aviation Organisation

Bengaluru: Pakistan is in trouble as India has lodged a complaint with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) over it denying its airspace for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to travel to Saudi Arabia on October 28 to participate in an international business conference on October 29. 

"Overflight clearances are sought and granted by other countries as per the prescribed guidelines of the ICAO. India will continue to seek such overflight clearances. We have taken up the matter of such denial with the civil aviation body," sources from the Indian administration said. 

The sources further added, “We regret the decision of the Government of Pakistan to yet again deny the overflight clearance for VVIP special flight, which is otherwise granted routinely by any normal country."

Dawn reported that, "Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Sunday announced that Islamabad has denied New Delhi's request for use of airspace for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.” 
Radio Pakistan had also reported that the foreign minister would convey the country’s decision to deny permission to the Indian high commissioner Ajay Bisaria in a written form. 

Incidentally, Pakistan has had a history of not allowing its airspace for Indian Prime Minister and even President. It had denied its airspace for Narendra Modi to travel to the United States to attend the 74th UN General Assembly session on September 20. 

Before this, President Ram Nath Kovind too was not allowed to use its airspace for his official trip to Europe. 

Tensions between the two countries have risen in the recent past with India deciding to abrogate Articles 370 and 35A granting special status to Jammu and Kashmir. While India has maintained it is an internal matter, Pakistan internationalised it, even taking up the issue with the United Nations. 
 

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